Temperature-regulating device.



W. W. CURTIS.

TEMPERATURE REGULATING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED I'EBJ, 1908.

L 1 9 1 r0 1 A d m n 6 t a P.

i 0 E MM 2 J 35 2. WW

up M 1m w UNITED STATES PATENT oEEIoE.

WALTER W. CURTIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR- T0 NATIONAL REGULATORCOMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

TEMPEBATUBE-REGULATING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WALTER W. CURTIs, a citizen of the United States,residingat Chicago, in the county of Cook-and State of Illinois, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Temperature Regulating Devices,of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description,reference being bad ,to-the' accompanying drawlngiforming apart oft-hisspecification.

, y invention relatestoimprovements in thermostatic devices designedtoco'n'trol the flov'v of'a fluid, such as air und'eropressure, to orfrom a motor actuated. thereby and operating means for controlling "theaction of heating apparatus. I

In some cases, as for instance where the 'motor is arranged to governthe passage of steam to a heating radiator, it is desirable that theflow;- of the motor-actuating fluid shall be so controlled as to causethe motor so that when once to act positively, that is, started to openor close,- the valve or other means for regulating the flow of heatingmedium. will complete this movement before stopping or starting to movein'the reverse direction. It is also important that the movement of the.valve or the like shall be comparatively rapid, especially in thedirection to admit steam to the radiator, because of thefaet that if thevalve be but slightly opened and the steam is therefore admitted slowlyto the'colfd radiator, rapid condensation will occur without means forthe passage of the water resulting therefrom out of the radiator.

. The object of the present invention is, therefore, to providethermostatically-actuated means for controllingthe flow of motive fluidto or'from a motor, which thermostatically-actuated means so operates asto cause the motor to move positively and also to move quickly in atleast one direction.

In these drawings, Figure 1 is. a longitudinal sectional view of myimproved thermostat; Fig. 2 is across sectional view of the same on-the.line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows; Fi3.shows a cross section onthe line 33 ofiig. 1, lookin in the directionindicated by the arrows; ig. 4: illustrates-a system employingthedevicesof my invention; and Fi 5 isa'detail view showingthe valve in di erentpositions.

In these drawin 10"is a tank containing fluid, preferably air, underpressure. From this tank a pipe 11 is run to the thermostat l2'locatedin the apartment, the temperature of which'is to be controlled. Fromthis thermostat extends a pipe 13 to the air chamber 140i a motor 15.One side of the chamber 14 is formed by a diaphragm 16 adapted to beflexed by'the pressure within the chamber when air is admitted thereto.The steam radiator 17 is connected by means of a pipe 18 with the steamgenerating apparatus (not shown), the flow of steam to the radiatorbeing controlled by avalve 19 which is closed by the flexure of thediaphragm :16 when air under ressure is admitted to the chamber 14. enthe ressure within this chamber is relieve the valve 19 is opened by asuitable sprin 20.

My; invention resides, when ap fled to such a system, in thethermostatically controlled means for causing the air to flow to themotor or releasing the same from the motor, andvthereby governing theadmission of-steam to the radiator or the cutting off of 't-he same.- v

a The thermostat 12 comprises atube 21 of hard rubber. or other materialadapted to expand or contract under changes in temperature conditions.This tube is provided at one of'its ends with a plug 22 screwing.

thereinto and at its opposite end with a plug 23 valso screwing into thetube and having a passage 2t'extendin 'therethrough'to the chamberwithin the tu This passage is connected with the pipe 13 leading to thechamber 14 in the mot0r-15. The plug 23 18 provided also with a passage25-leading to he chamber of the device and provided with restrictingmeans consisting of a screw 26 which, when screwed in, decreases thearea of the passage at one point. This passage 25 commumcates'throughthe pipe 11 with the air tanklO. Within the tube 21, and secured to theplug 23,'is arranged 'a standard 27 carrying upon its upper end a crossbar 28 to which is secured one end of a flat spring 29 carrying upon itsopposite end a valve iece 30 comprising a bar having a flattene portionat 31. The tendency of the Patented Aug. 15-, 191 1. i

spring 29, if left to itself, would be to move t e valve piece 30 towardthe standard 27 and to hold'the flattened portion 31 in com tactwith thevalve seat 32. An exhaust l passage33, open at one end to theatmosphere, extends through the standard 27 and terminates at thevalve-seat 32', being thereffore closed when the valve is seated. A

block '34 is secured to the spring 29 at a ars a thrust-rod 35 theopposite end of this rodresting in a depression in the end,

of a screw .36 which extends through the plug. 22. 'This screw isprovided with threads having very gradual pitch so that by turning thesame. a very nice adjustment of the pressure exerted by the thrust-rodupon the block 34 may be secured.

The operation of the device may be described as follows: With the partsin the positions shown in Fig. 1,-air under pressure fills the chamberwithin the thermostatic tube 21, the pi e 13, and-the chamber 14 of themotor, hol ing the diaphragm 16. flexed and the valve 19 closed againstits seat, thereby preventing access of steam to the "radiator 17. Whenthe temperature falls and steam is to be admitted to the radiator it isdesirable that the valve 19shall open quickly-to its full extent,whereby rapid 1 condensation of steam within the radiator vwithout meansfor theexit of water therefrom, which would result if the" steam was'slowly admittedto ,a'cold radiator, is prevented. This uick openin isaccomplished as follows: e cooling 0 the thermostatictube 21, by reasonof the fall in temperature of the room,'causes the tube 21 to con-Vtract, this contraction being transmitted through the rod 35 as athrust; upon the block 34, flexing the s ring 29 in that'por tionthereofwhich is tween the block 34 and the cross iece 28, as shownin Fig. 5.The downward thrust of the rod 35 thus tends to move the valve 31 awayfrom its seat 32. This tendency to open the valve is, however, resistedfor a time b the air pressure within the chamber of t e thermostat,

which tendsitd holdthe valveito its seat.

This causesthe spring 29 to become flexed between the block 34 andthe'valve piece 30,-

storing up energy in this part of the spring.

When suflicient energy 1s"thusstored tof overcome the tendency ofthevalve 31 to adhere to its seat because of the-pressurewithin the chamberof the device, the vvalve will the air under suddenly move away fromits-seat to the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 5', and

ressure within the chamber willquickly ex aust through the passage 33 tothe atmosphere. This permits the the pipe 13 to flow back toward thetheme stat and the spring 20lto force the dia-H phragm 16 of the motorup'and open the valve 19 quickly,thereb turning the steam into theradiator at In 1 pressure at once.

The air entering throu h the passa e 25 from the tank 10 wastes t roughthe ex aust" port 33 while the steam valve19 remains open, but this flowis negligible because of int between its ends, and upon this block118F111 sad 0 the restriction in the passage 25. The. temperature of theair in the apartment will -now begin to rise, resultin inthe gradualextension of the thermostatic tube 21. This permits the thrust rod 35 tomove upwardly under the influence of the spring 29, the valve piece 30,slowly a 'proaching' its seat. If the temperature rises ieyond the pointat which the device is adjusted to operate this valve at lengthapproaches closely to its seat, whereupon the pressure in the chamber ofthe thermostat rises, due to the fact that less air escapes past thevalve to the exhaust ort than enters through the passage 25. en thispressure has reached acertain point the valve iece 30' is moved quicklythereby through t e remainder of its path of movement to its seat. Thisprevents the further passage of air to the atmosphere through theexhaust .port and permits pressure 'to build up in the chamber of thedevice and in the pipe 13 and chamber 14 of 'themotor, closing the valve19 and shutting off the steam from the radiator 17. It is to beunderstood that in some .sys{ terms of steam heating it is not soimportant to have the-steam shut off quickly from the radiator as it isto have it admitted quickly and completely thereto. This deviceaccomplishes the quick and complete admission as well as the completeclosing desired,- and is sufficiently rapid in its closing action tomeet the requirements of'practical service. Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as hew and desire to secure by Letters Patentisv 1 1. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a device forcontrollingthe flow of fluid to and from said motor, said device havinga chamber communicating with said motor and provided with an inletcommunieating with a source of supply of fluid under pressure, saiddevice having also an exhaust port leading from said chamber of reatercapacity than said inlet, a valve within said chamber exposed to thepressurev therein and arranged to close said exhaust port and to be heldto its seat by said ressure, and an energy storing device'un er tension,said dev ce opposing the pressure in the chamber and tendingto open saidvalve against said pressure, the tension of said device being varied bytemperature changes.

2., The combination with a fluid-pressure jmotor', of apparatus forcontrolling the. flow of fluid to and from said motor, ratus beingprovided with a chamber com municatin with said motor and having an"inlet to said chamber communicating with a said appasource of supply offluid under pressure and alsolan exhaust'portleading from amber ofgreater capacity than said inlet, a valve'arranged to close said exhaustport and to-be held to-its seat by the pressure within said chamber, andan energy storing device under tension and arranged to have its tensionvaried by temperature changes, the tension of said device being opposedto the pressure in the chamber and tending to open said valve againstsaid pressure. v

3. The combination with a fluidrpressure motor, of a device forcontrolling-the flow of fluid to and from said motor, said device havinga chamber communicating with a source of supply of fluid. under pressureand communicating also with said motor and provided with an exhaustport, a valve for said exhaust port arranged to be held thereto by thepressure withinthe, chamber and opening against said pressure, meansresponsive to temperaturechang'es for opening said valve, and elasticconnection in which energy is stored between said valve and saidtemperature-responsive means,

,whereby said valve is caused to open quickly when the pressure withinthe chamber is overcome by the energy stored in said elastic connection.

4. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a deviceforcontrolling the flow of said device having achamber communicatingwith a source of supply of fluid under pressure and" fluid to and fromsaid motor,

communicating also with said motor and provided with anexhaust p0 t, avalve for said exhaust'port arranged to be held thereto by.

the pressure within the chamber and opening against said, pressure,means responsivev to temperature changes for opening said valve,-andelastic connection in which energy is stored between said valve and saidtemperature-responsive means upon a fall of temperature, whereby saidvalve is caused to open quickly when the pressure within the chamber isovercome by the energy stored in said elastic connection.

5. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of apparatus forcontrolling the flow of fluid to and from said motor,

said apparatus having a chamber communicating with said motor and havingan inlet to said chamber communicating with a source of supply of fluidunder pres sure and having also an exhaust port leading from saidchamber of greater capacity than said inlet, a valve for said exhaustport, means tending to seat said valve, a thermostatic element foropeningsaid valve against the pressure in saidchamber, and

elastic means in which energyis stored-between said thermostatic elementand said valve whereby said valve is made to open suddenly when thepressure in the chamber is overcome by said elastic means.

' 6. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a thermostat havinga chamber in communication with said motor, a source of supply of fluidunder pressure also in communication with said motor, means for lim--motor, of means vfluid to and, from said motor,

iting the flow of fluid to said motor, said thermostat having also anexhaust port, a valve arranged to close said exhaust ,port and to beheld to its seat by the pressure within said chamber, and yieldablemeans in which energy is stored by the thermostat for opening said valveagainst said pressure when said pressure is overcome by the energystored in said yieldable means.

7 The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a thermostat having achamber in communication with said motor, a source of supply of fluidunder pressure also in communication with said motor, means for limitingthe flow of fluid to said motor, said thermostat having also an exhaustport, a valve arranged to close said. exhaust port and to be held to itsseat by the pressure within said chamber, and yieldable means in whichenerg is stored by the thermostat upon; a fall of temperature foropening said valve against said pressure when the same is overcome bythe energy stored in said yieldable means.

8. The combination, with a fluid-pressure motor, of a chamberedthermostat having a constantly open restricted inlet, a source of supplyof fluid under pressure connected'to said inlet, the chamber of saidthermostat being in communication with said motor and having an exhaustport of greater capacity than said inlet,-a valve within said thermostatarranged to close said exhaust port, and V to be held toits seat-by thepressure within the thermostat, and yieldable means under tensionarranged to open said valve'against said pressure when said pressure isovercome thereby, the tension of said means being varied by saidthermostat.

9. The combination with a fluid-pressure motor, of a hollow thermostathaving an inlet communicating with a source of supply of fluid underpressure and provided with an adjustable restriction,'said thermostathaving also a port communicating with said motor and an exhaust port, avalve for closing said exhaust port, said valve being moved toward saidexhaust port by the pressure within the thermostatic chamberyandyieldable means under tension arranged to move said valve away from'saidexhaust port, the tension'of said yieldable means being varied by saidthermostat.

10. The combination with a aid-pressure for controlling the flow of saidmeans having a chamber vcommunicating with a source of supply of fluidunder pressure and with said motor, said chamber havingan exhaust portof suflicient capacity to permit the flow of fluid therethrough fasterthan it enters the chamber from the source of supply, a valve for saidexhaust port tending to seat itself, means responsive to tern:-

perature changes for unseatingsaid valve,

Correction in Letters Patent No. 1,000,720.

and resilient means interposed between said last-named means and saidvalve, whereby said valve is caused to open quickly against the pressurewithin the chamber. 5 11. In temperature regulating apparatus, thecombination of 'a hollow. thermostatic element having an inlet andhaving an outlet port of greater capacity than said inlet, and havingalso an exhaust port of greater capacity than said inlet, a valve withinsaid thermostatic element for closing said exhaust port,-a nd a springfor opening and closing said valve by changes of its tension, thetension of said spring being under the control of said thermostat.

12. In combination with a motor a thermostatic tube provided with apassage in communication with a source of fluid supply and having apassage communicating with said motor and an exhaust passage, means forrestricting the flow of fluid through said first-mentioned passage, asupport mounted within said tube, and yieldable means mounted on saidsupport for controlling said exhaust passage.

13. In combination with a motor a thermostatic tube provided with apassage in communication with a source of fluid supply and having apassage communicating with said motor and an exhaust passage, means forrestricting the flow of fluid through said first-mentioned passage, apost mounted within said tube, a support extending transversely fromsaid post, and a spring member mounted on said support and adapted tocontrol said exhaust passage.

14. In combination with a motor a thermostatic tube provided with apassage in communication with a source of fluid supply and having apassage communicating with said motor and'an exhaust passage, means forrestricting'the flow of fluid through said first-mentioned passage, apost mounted within said tube, a support extending transversely fromsaid post, a spring member mounted on said support, and a valve stemsecured to the end of said'spring and normally held against the valveseat of the exhaust passage by the pressure of the fluid with the tubeand the tension of a portion of said spring.

15. In combination with a motor a thermostatic tube provided withapassage in communication with a source of fluid supply and having apassage communicating with said motor and an exhaust passage, means forrestricting the flow of fluid through said first-mentioned passage, apost mounted within said tube, a support extending transversely fromsaid post, a spring member mounted on said support, a valve stem securedto the end of said spring and normally held against the valve seat ofthe exhaust passageby the pressure of the fluid within the tube and thetension of a portion of said spring, and means whereby a predetermineddegree of contraction of said tube causes said valve seat to quicklyunseat and open said exhaust passage.

16. In a thermostatic tube provided with a valve controlled exhaust, a.post mounted within said tube, an arm extending transversely therefrom,a spring-member mounted on said arm, a valve secured at the lower end ofsaid spring member normally closing said exhaust and'holding it in suchclosed position by the combined action of the pressure within said tubeand the tension of a port-ion of said s ring, and means wherebycontraction of said tube stores energy into the lower portion of saidspring member until suflicient energy has been stored to force saidvalve quickly away from said exhaust passage.

17. In a thermostatic tube provided with "a valve controlled exhaust, apost mounted within said tube, an arm extending transversely therefrom aspring member mounted on said arm, a valve secured at the lower end ofsaid spring member normally closing said exhaust and holding it in suchclosed position by the combined action of the pressure within said tubeand the tens'on of a portion of said spring, and means wherebycontraction of said tube stores energy into the lower portion of saidspring member until suflicient energy has been stored to force said\tLlVG stem quickly away from said exhaust. passage, said meanscomprising a block mounted on said spring intermediate its ends, and aconnecting rod bearing on said block and adapted to be forced downwardlyby the contraction of said tube.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto 'subscribed my namein the presenceof two witnesses,

\VALTER IV. CURTIS. Witnesses:

M. L. FARRAR,

(l. L. Hornms.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,000,720, grantedAugust 15,

1911, upon the application of Walter W. Curtis, of Chicago, Illinois,

ment in Temperature-Regulating Devices,

for an improvean error appears in the printed specification requiringcorrection as follows: Page 4, line 50, the word with should readwithin, and that the said Letters Patent should be read with thisceir-ysien therein that the same may conform to the record of the casein the Patent Oflice.

[sun] E. B. MOORE, Uommiesioner qf Patents.

Correction in Letters Patent No. 1,000,720.

and resilient means interposed between said last-named means and saidvalve, whereby said valve is caused to open quickly against the pressurewithin the chamber. 5 11. In temperature regulating apparatus, thecombination of 'a hollow. thermostatic element having an inlet andhaving an outlet port of greater capacity than said inlet, and havingalso an exhaust port of greater capacity than said inlet, a valve withinsaid thermostatic element for closing said exhaust port,-a nd a springfor opening and closing said valve by changes of its tension, thetension of said spring being under the control of said thermostat.

12. In combination with a motor a thermostatic tube provided with apassage in communication with a source of fluid supply and having apassage communicating with said motor and an exhaust passage, means forrestricting the flow of fluid through said first-mentioned passage, asupport mounted within said tube, and yieldable means mounted on saidsupport for controlling said exhaust passage.

13. In combination with a motor a thermostatic tube provided with apassage in communication with a source of fluid supply and having apassage communicating with said motor and an exhaust passage, means forrestricting the flow of fluid through said first-mentioned passage, apost mounted within said tube, a support extending transversely fromsaid post, and a spring member mounted on said support and adapted tocontrol said exhaust passage.

14. In combination with a motor a thermostatic tube provided with apassage in communication with a source of fluid supply and having apassage communicating with said motor and'an exhaust passage, means forrestricting'the flow of fluid through said first-mentioned passage, apost mounted within said tube, a support extending transversely fromsaid post, a spring member mounted on said support, and a valve stemsecured to the end of said'spring and normally held against the valveseat of the exhaust passage by the pressure of the fluid with the tubeand the tension of a portion of said spring.

15. In combination with a motor a thermostatic tube provided withapassage in communication with a source of fluid supply and having apassage communicating with said motor and an exhaust passage, means forrestricting the flow of fluid through said first-mentioned passage, apost mounted within said tube, a support extending transversely fromsaid post, a spring member mounted on said support, a valve stem securedto the end of said spring and normally held against the valve seat ofthe exhaust passageby the pressure of the fluid within the tube and thetension of a portion of said spring, and means whereby a predetermineddegree of contraction of said tube causes said valve seat to quicklyunseat and open said exhaust passage.

16. In a thermostatic tube provided with a valve controlled exhaust, a.post mounted within said tube, an arm extending transversely therefrom,a spring-member mounted on said arm, a valve secured at the lower end ofsaid spring member normally closing said exhaust and'holding it in suchclosed position by the combined action of the pressure within said tubeand the tension of a port-ion of said spring, and means wherebycontraction of said tube stores energy into the lower portion of saidspring member until suflicient energy has been stored to force saidvalve quickly away from said exhaust passage.

17. In a thermostatic tube provided with "a valve controlled exhaust, apost mounted within said tube, an arm extending transversely therefrom aspring member mounted on said arm, a valve secured at the lower end ofsaid spring member normally closing said exhaust and holding it in suchclosed position by the combined action of the pressure within said tubeand the tens'on of a portion of said spring, and means wherebycontraction of said tube stores energy into the lower portion of saidspring member until suflicient energy has been stored to force said\tLlVG stem quickly away from said exhaust. passage, said meanscomprising a block mounted on said spring intermediate its ends, and aconnecting rod bearing on said block and adapted to be forced downwardlyby the contraction of said tube.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto 'subscribed my namein the presenceof two witnesses,

\VALTER IV. CURTIS. Witnesses:

M. L. FARRAR,

(l. L. Hornms.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,000,720, grantedAugust 15,

1911, upon the application of Walter W. Curtis, of Chicago, Illinois,

ment in Temperature-Regulating Devices,

for an improvean error appears in the printed specification requiringcorrection as follows: Page 4, line 50, the word with should readwithin, and that the said Letters Patent should be read with thisceir-ysien therein that the same may conform to the record of the casein the Patent Oflice.

Signed and sealed this 12th day of September, A. D., 1911.

[sun] It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,000,720,granted August 15, 1911, upon the application of Walter W. Curtis, ofChicago, Illinois, for an improvement in Temperature-Regulating Devices,an error appears in the printed speeification requiring correction asfollows: Page 4, line 50, the word with should read wit/tin, and thatthe said Letters Patent should he read with this co: 1:011

therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in thePatent Ofiice.

Signed and sealed this 12th dhy of September, A. D., 1911.

E. B. MOORE, Commissioner of Patents.

[sun]

